The Used - “In Love & Death”

September 25th, 2006

I’ve recently had the opportunity to listen to The Used sophomore album, “In Love & Death.” This album has 12 tracks that range from high intense screams and growls to a softer more punk-rock edge. The Used are a 4 piece band that sprung from Utah that can take exactly what your feeling or have felt at one time and send you on a journey right back to that moment. Not only can The Used really belt out emotion in such songs as “Cut Up Angels” and “Sound Effects and Overdramatics” but they also take you over in the stand-out ballad “Hard To Say.”

Since their self-titled debut album, released by Reprise Records, back in 2003, they have embraced more of a creative approach with a more pop-like sound found in various songs within the album, yet staying true to their fan base and writing challenging lyrics to make the listening experience that much more powerful. This album isn’t as hardcore as the last, but the lyrics seem to be getting better and better. There are sections throughout the album of strings and piano, arrangements of tearful screaming, with passionate lyrics filling in the cracks. Bert McCracken’s unique vocal chords set the tone for this album which seems to be balanced out with heartfelt romance and angst rage. During the making of “In Love & Death,” McCracken lost two close friends of his. There was tension not only amongst the band but also with the producers, which was all good and fine according to McCracken. “It was mostly positive,” he said, “because it all made the songs come together like magic.”

I strongly recommend you take this amazing journey with The Used if you haven’t already. I promise you they will leave you wanting more. I believe this band has a lot to look forward to. It’s only the beginning for these punk-rockers!

If you like these bands then you will most likely dig The Used:

Staind

Creed

Linkin’ Park

Fuel

AFI

Green Day

- Shannon Zeese, Associate Editor

Entry Filed under: CD Reviews, Rock